16 Facts About Evan Hunziker

Evan Carl Hunziker was the first American civilian to be arrested by North Korea on espionage charges since the end of the Korean War.

Evan Hunziker spent three months in North Korean custody before being released and returned to the United States thanks to the negotiation efforts of then-New Mexico congressman Bill Richardson.

Evan Hunziker's father developed a drinking problem, and in 1974 Evan Hunziker's father and mother divorced.

Evan Hunziker moved with his mother to Anchorage, Alaska, where he spent most of his childhood with various relatives of his mother's.

In 1988 Evan Hunziker graduated from Stadium High School in Tacoma.

Evan Hunziker went on to attend colleges in Yakima and South Seattle on a football scholarship, but began drinking and using drugs, and did not graduate.

Evan Hunziker later returned to Anchorage, where his mother was running a motel with her boyfriend, Kevin Hux.

Evan Hunziker's mother applied for a restraining order against him in that same year, and Hux filed for another restraining order two years later after Hunziker allegedly stabbed him in the face with a pencil, and assaulted twelve motel employees and guests in the space of a month.

From 1992 to 1996, Evan Hunziker was arrested seven times on a variety of charges including assault, malicious destruction, and drunk driving.

Evan Hunziker reportedly converted to Christianity while in jail, and upon his seventh release, in 1995, fled back to Washington hoping to avoid being brought up on pending criminal assault charges that his mother had filed against him in Alaska.

In mid-1996, Hunziker decided that he wanted to go to South Korea to find a job as an English teacher and evangelize.

North Korea ignored later requests from the United States that Evan Hunziker be allowed to receive regular visits.

Edwin Evan Hunziker called his congressman, Randy Tate, in an attempt to learn what, if anything, the United States government was doing for his son.

Evan Hunziker reportedly signed several confessions, though under psychological duress.

Evan Hunziker stated that the North Korean military had been opposed to Hunziker's release.

Evan Hunziker arrived back in the United States via Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.